Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Sancho
Sancho's Journal
Sancho's Journal
February 8, 2022
more at link.....
Could the 14th Amendment keep Trump out of the Oval Office?
https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/02/07/could-the-14th-amendment-keep-trump-out-of-the-oval-office/An obscure portion of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says that public officials cannot serve in any future federal, state, or military office if they engaged in insurrection or rebellion. Would that apply to people who participated in the Jan. 6 attack on Congress?
Some legal experts say the clause could be used against former officeholders up to and including former President Donald Trump who supported the events of that day.
While the 14th Amendment is best known for enabling African Americans to become citizens of the United States, Section 3 says that no person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military who had previously taken an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.
The language was included to prevent current and former U.S. military officers, federal officers and state officials who served the Confederacy from serving again in public office unless their disability was removed by at least a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress, wrote Gerard N. Magliocca, a law professor at Indiana University.
Some legal experts say the clause could be used against former officeholders up to and including former President Donald Trump who supported the events of that day.
While the 14th Amendment is best known for enabling African Americans to become citizens of the United States, Section 3 says that no person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military who had previously taken an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.
The language was included to prevent current and former U.S. military officers, federal officers and state officials who served the Confederacy from serving again in public office unless their disability was removed by at least a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress, wrote Gerard N. Magliocca, a law professor at Indiana University.
more at link.....
January 21, 2022
This list summarizes 21 legal actions...more at link.
It's hard to keep up with all the investigations...
https://www.justsecurity.org/75032/litigation-tracker-pending-criminal-and-civil-cases-against-donald-trump/Originally published on Feb. 28, 2021; updated on Jan. 4, 2022.
On both the criminal and civil litigation fronts, former President Donald Trump faces a bevy of lawsuits and investigations, with more cases likely to follow. Some are civil suits stemming from his pre-presidential business dealings. Others are defamation claims from women he allegedly assaulted. More still are criminal probes and civil actions that scrutinize his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The Chart below tracks all these cases. It will be continually updated as major legal developments occur.
These cases bear on two pressing questions. First, will Trump maintain his long streak of eluding legal liability in the face of so many lawsuits? Second, if Trump is held to account for illegal conduct, what impact will such a development have on hisand his familyspolitical and business fortunes?
Criminal chargesone would thinkwould be among the most damaging outcomes. After all, a criminal prosecution of a former president would be a singular event in American history. No former president has ever been indicted, much less convicted. Trump lost any immunity from indictment that he may have possessed as president the moment he left office on Jan. 20. To be sure, most of the criminal probes detailed below are in their infancy, so the odds of an actual conviction at this time remain improbable. Even so, the mere stigma of criminal charges against the former president could reshape the American political landscape and the historical understanding of Trumps behavior.
The civil cases could certainly do their fair share of damage as well, directly or indirectly. If Trump falters in one of his business-related suits, his companies may be subject to massive penalties, or worse. Even apart from such sanctions, his empire is reportedly struggling under looming debt obligations and reduced revenues, a slump which could worsen if his reputation continues to deteriorate.
On both the criminal and civil litigation fronts, former President Donald Trump faces a bevy of lawsuits and investigations, with more cases likely to follow. Some are civil suits stemming from his pre-presidential business dealings. Others are defamation claims from women he allegedly assaulted. More still are criminal probes and civil actions that scrutinize his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The Chart below tracks all these cases. It will be continually updated as major legal developments occur.
These cases bear on two pressing questions. First, will Trump maintain his long streak of eluding legal liability in the face of so many lawsuits? Second, if Trump is held to account for illegal conduct, what impact will such a development have on hisand his familyspolitical and business fortunes?
Criminal chargesone would thinkwould be among the most damaging outcomes. After all, a criminal prosecution of a former president would be a singular event in American history. No former president has ever been indicted, much less convicted. Trump lost any immunity from indictment that he may have possessed as president the moment he left office on Jan. 20. To be sure, most of the criminal probes detailed below are in their infancy, so the odds of an actual conviction at this time remain improbable. Even so, the mere stigma of criminal charges against the former president could reshape the American political landscape and the historical understanding of Trumps behavior.
The civil cases could certainly do their fair share of damage as well, directly or indirectly. If Trump falters in one of his business-related suits, his companies may be subject to massive penalties, or worse. Even apart from such sanctions, his empire is reportedly struggling under looming debt obligations and reduced revenues, a slump which could worsen if his reputation continues to deteriorate.
This list summarizes 21 legal actions...more at link.
January 15, 2022
https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2022/01/15/florida-adds-430297-covid-cases-470-deaths-in-past-week/
The state breaks infection records for the third week in a row as hospitalizations and deaths mount.
Florida reported 430,297 new coronavirus cases over the seven-day period from Jan. 7-13, an average of about 61,471 infections per day. Thats over 2 percent of Floridas total population infected in the past week.
Its the third week in a row the state has shattered previous infection records. The seven-day average of omicron variant infections is more than double the 25,000 daily average the delta wave hit this past summer. Floridas first omicron case was detected on Dec. 6, when daily cases were less than 2,000 infections per day on average.
HOSPITALIZATIONS: Florida had 11,160 confirmed COVID-19 patients in hospitals as of Friday, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Thats up over 30 percent from the week before.
Its the third week in a row the state has shattered previous infection records. The seven-day average of omicron variant infections is more than double the 25,000 daily average the delta wave hit this past summer. Floridas first omicron case was detected on Dec. 6, when daily cases were less than 2,000 infections per day on average.
HOSPITALIZATIONS: Florida had 11,160 confirmed COVID-19 patients in hospitals as of Friday, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Thats up over 30 percent from the week before.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2022/01/15/florida-adds-430297-covid-cases-470-deaths-in-past-week/
January 15, 2022
More at the link...
Bottom line: DeSatan is crazy.
Florida won't enforce federal health care worker vaccine mandate
https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2022/01/14/florida-wont-enforce-federal-health-care-worker-vaccine-mandate/TALLAHASSEE The Supreme Court has ruled. The Biden administrations vaccine mandate on health care workers will go into effect.
Except Florida wont do its part to enforce it.
The rule requires employees at federally regulated health care facilities like hospitals and long-term care facilities to be vaccinated. It conflicts with a state law passed in November that limited employers ability to mandate vaccines.
If health care companies decide not to abide by the Biden administrations requirement that 100 percent of workers be vaccinated or qualify for an approved exemption, they risk losing Medicare or Medicaid funding. Both federal programs are major funding sources for health care providers.
Except Florida wont do its part to enforce it.
The rule requires employees at federally regulated health care facilities like hospitals and long-term care facilities to be vaccinated. It conflicts with a state law passed in November that limited employers ability to mandate vaccines.
If health care companies decide not to abide by the Biden administrations requirement that 100 percent of workers be vaccinated or qualify for an approved exemption, they risk losing Medicare or Medicaid funding. Both federal programs are major funding sources for health care providers.
More at the link...
Bottom line: DeSatan is crazy.
January 14, 2022
Early reports say Florida Republican shot and killed during road rage incident
I saw this first on FB, and I have heard no more. Shootout near the Florida capital a few days ago.
https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2022/1/13/2074414/-Florida-Republican-is-shot-dead-after-allegedly-ramming-car-and-shooting-at-driver?
John Kuczwanski, the 53-year-old Legislative Affairs Director for the State Board of Administration, died on Jan. 6, 2022 after a road rage shooting incident. The other person involved in the incident was taken into custody but subsequently released.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation told Florida Politics that the shooting incident began as an auto accident caused by Kuczwanski that escalated into a road rage shooting between Kuczwanski and another man. Just north of Tallahassee, Kuczwanskis black BMW reportedly drifted out of its lane and into a white Prius. Both cars then pulled into the parking lot of a Circle K. It is here where events became deadly.
Anonymous sources tell Florida Politics that the driver of the Prius got out of his car and confronted Kuczwanski about hitting him, and then returned to his car to wait for law enforcements arrival (ostensibly to file a report for insurance purposes). At this point Kuczwanski reportedly rammed his BMW into the Prius driver-side door and began pushing the car sideways in the parking lot. At this point sources told Florida Politics that Kuczwanski shot a gun at the Prius, at which time the Prius driver, also a gun owner, pulled out a gun and shot Kuczwanski through the windshield. The Prius driver slipped out of the passenger side door and hid, not knowing whether or not Kuczwanski was going to continue shooting.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation told Florida Politics that the shooting incident began as an auto accident caused by Kuczwanski that escalated into a road rage shooting between Kuczwanski and another man. Just north of Tallahassee, Kuczwanskis black BMW reportedly drifted out of its lane and into a white Prius. Both cars then pulled into the parking lot of a Circle K. It is here where events became deadly.
Anonymous sources tell Florida Politics that the driver of the Prius got out of his car and confronted Kuczwanski about hitting him, and then returned to his car to wait for law enforcements arrival (ostensibly to file a report for insurance purposes). At this point Kuczwanski reportedly rammed his BMW into the Prius driver-side door and began pushing the car sideways in the parking lot. At this point sources told Florida Politics that Kuczwanski shot a gun at the Prius, at which time the Prius driver, also a gun owner, pulled out a gun and shot Kuczwanski through the windshield. The Prius driver slipped out of the passenger side door and hid, not knowing whether or not Kuczwanski was going to continue shooting.
January 11, 2022
Rant Paul is at it again...
....Covid response hearing on MSNBC.
He's the most obnoxious person on earth today.
December 7, 2021
More at the link. DeSantan is the mini-trump of 2021...
UF researchers felt pressure to destroy COVID-19 data, faculty report says
https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2021/12/06/uf-researchers-felt-pressure-to-destroy-covid-19-data-faculty-report-says/Fear of upsetting state officials is pervasive among faculty at the University of Florida, to the point that race-related references have been edited out of course materials and researchers felt pressure to destroy COVID-19 data, according to a report released Monday by a Faculty Senate committee.
The six-person panel was convened three weeks ago to investigate academic freedom issues after the university decided to bar three political science professors from testifying in a lawsuit against the state. But its findings go well beyond that episode and were so disturbing especially regarding COVID-19 research that the group decided to speed up its work, said Danaya Wright, a constitutional law professor and former Faculty Senate chairperson who served on the committee.
The report discusses several challenges faced by UF researchers who were working on COVID-19 with an unidentified state entity. It describes external pressure to destroy data as well as barriers to accessing, analyzing and publishing the numbers. Taken together, the report said, those problems inhibited the ability of faculty to contribute scientific findings during a world-wide pandemic.
The report further states that UF employees were told not to criticize the Governor of Florida or UF policies related to COVID-19 in media interactions. It says they were told not to use their UF titles or affiliation in written commentary or to give oral presentations. And faculty at UF Health expressed concerns over funding being in jeopardy if they did not adopt the states stance on pandemic regulations in opinion articles, the report says.
The six-person panel was convened three weeks ago to investigate academic freedom issues after the university decided to bar three political science professors from testifying in a lawsuit against the state. But its findings go well beyond that episode and were so disturbing especially regarding COVID-19 research that the group decided to speed up its work, said Danaya Wright, a constitutional law professor and former Faculty Senate chairperson who served on the committee.
The report discusses several challenges faced by UF researchers who were working on COVID-19 with an unidentified state entity. It describes external pressure to destroy data as well as barriers to accessing, analyzing and publishing the numbers. Taken together, the report said, those problems inhibited the ability of faculty to contribute scientific findings during a world-wide pandemic.
The report further states that UF employees were told not to criticize the Governor of Florida or UF policies related to COVID-19 in media interactions. It says they were told not to use their UF titles or affiliation in written commentary or to give oral presentations. And faculty at UF Health expressed concerns over funding being in jeopardy if they did not adopt the states stance on pandemic regulations in opinion articles, the report says.
More at the link. DeSantan is the mini-trump of 2021...
October 20, 2021
Who remembers this?
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editorials/os-op-ron-desantis-lev-parnas-connection-answers-editorial-20200203-fsevz4zkfvan5atshl23dte2pq-story.html
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/311368-ron-desantis-had-more-meetings-with-lev-parnas-than-originally-thought/
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-op-edit-desantis-parnas-giuliani-20191024-6jtwm6wlf5chbl47bw3nxykh6a-story.html
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2020/01/14/florida-gov-ron-desantis-wont-talk-about-texts-with-donor-indicted-for-foreign-influence-of-us-elections
Florida is the open door for the money laundering...
Since the Lev trial has started...remind everyone about the connections with DeSatan!
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/12/nyregion/lev-parnas-trial-trump-ukraine.htmlWho remembers this?
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editorials/os-op-ron-desantis-lev-parnas-connection-answers-editorial-20200203-fsevz4zkfvan5atshl23dte2pq-story.html
Politicians can handle incriminating news in two ways: Come clean, apologize if necessary and defuse the story. Or evade, obfuscate and hope the story goes away.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has chosen the latter with indicted fundraiser Lev Parnas. His problem is Parnas not only isnt going away, hes become a focal point in the worlds headline political story.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has chosen the latter with indicted fundraiser Lev Parnas. His problem is Parnas not only isnt going away, hes become a focal point in the worlds headline political story.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/311368-ron-desantis-had-more-meetings-with-lev-parnas-than-originally-thought/
They met at least six times.
Gov. Ron DeSantis met with one of the Ukrainian-Americans arrested last month amid allegations of scheming to violate campaign finance laws.
Lev Parnas met with DeSantis at least six times, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Thats more meetings than had previously been reported.
Both Parnas and his business partner, Igor Fruman, had ties to President Donald Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and were allegedly involved in the pressure campaign to get the Ukrainian government to dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
Gov. Ron DeSantis met with one of the Ukrainian-Americans arrested last month amid allegations of scheming to violate campaign finance laws.
Lev Parnas met with DeSantis at least six times, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Thats more meetings than had previously been reported.
Both Parnas and his business partner, Igor Fruman, had ties to President Donald Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and were allegedly involved in the pressure campaign to get the Ukrainian government to dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-op-edit-desantis-parnas-giuliani-20191024-6jtwm6wlf5chbl47bw3nxykh6a-story.html
In the wake of their arrests, the media reported that their company gave $50,000 to DeSantis campaign a day before Donald Trump endorsed him in Floridas Republican primary. It also came out that they had invested $20,400 to elect former Gov. Rick Scott to the U.S. Senate and gave $2,432 to Rep. Brian Mast, R-Palm City.
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2020/01/14/florida-gov-ron-desantis-wont-talk-about-texts-with-donor-indicted-for-foreign-influence-of-us-elections
Texts have surfaced between Gov. Ron DeSantis and a right-wing donor indicted for helping Rudy Giuliani siphon foreign cash into American elections from Ukraine.
The texts between the second-year governor and Lev Parnas were turned over, reports The Wall Street Journal, as evidence in Donald Trumps Senate impeachment trial.
The texts between the second-year governor and Lev Parnas were turned over, reports The Wall Street Journal, as evidence in Donald Trumps Senate impeachment trial.
Florida is the open door for the money laundering...
October 1, 2021
But...will it come with red and blue pills?
Edit: Lastest results of trial:
https://www.axios.com/merck-ridgeback-oral-antiviral-drug-coronavirus-e606bd4b-8505-40d9-b34b-a52af9e9a993.html
Pfizer, Merck launch new trials of oral COVID-19 drugs
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-starts-dosing-patients-oral-covid-19-drug-trial-2021-09-01/Sept 1 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N) announced on Wednesday new trials of their experimental oral antiviral drugs for COVID-19 as the race to develop an easy-to-administer treatment for the potentially fatal illness heats up.
Pfizer said its latest mid-to-late-stage trial will enroll 1,140 non-hospitalized adults diagnosed with coronavirus infection who are not at risk of severe illness. Patients in the trial will be given Pfizer's pill, known as PF-07321332, and a low dose of ritonavir, an older medication widely used in combination treatments for HIV infection.
Pfizer's drug is designed to block the activity of a key enzyme that is needed for the coronavirus to multiply.
Merck said its new trial will study experimental drug molnupiravir for the prevention of COVID-19 among adults in the same household as someone diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus infection. Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics are already conducting a late-stage trial of the treatment in non-hospitalized patients to see if it reduces the risk of hospitalization or death.
Pfizer said its latest mid-to-late-stage trial will enroll 1,140 non-hospitalized adults diagnosed with coronavirus infection who are not at risk of severe illness. Patients in the trial will be given Pfizer's pill, known as PF-07321332, and a low dose of ritonavir, an older medication widely used in combination treatments for HIV infection.
Pfizer's drug is designed to block the activity of a key enzyme that is needed for the coronavirus to multiply.
Merck said its new trial will study experimental drug molnupiravir for the prevention of COVID-19 among adults in the same household as someone diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus infection. Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics are already conducting a late-stage trial of the treatment in non-hospitalized patients to see if it reduces the risk of hospitalization or death.
But...will it come with red and blue pills?
Edit: Lastest results of trial:
https://www.axios.com/merck-ridgeback-oral-antiviral-drug-coronavirus-e606bd4b-8505-40d9-b34b-a52af9e9a993.html
Merck said Friday that an experimental pill it is developing with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics reduced the risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19 by around 50% in a clinical trial.
Why it matters: An oral antiviral drug designed to prevent or treat COVID-19 could be a key tool to combat the pandemic, since not all people will get vaccinated and because it will take potentially years to vaccinate people in certain countries around the world.
Merck said it will apply for an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration "as soon as possible" to begin distributing molnupiravir because of the results.
It will also submit applications to international regulatory agencies.
Why it matters: An oral antiviral drug designed to prevent or treat COVID-19 could be a key tool to combat the pandemic, since not all people will get vaccinated and because it will take potentially years to vaccinate people in certain countries around the world.
Merck said it will apply for an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration "as soon as possible" to begin distributing molnupiravir because of the results.
It will also submit applications to international regulatory agencies.
September 30, 2021
Video at link....why women live longer than men.
Florida man uses trash bin to catch alligator
https://www.fox13news.com/news/man-catches-gator-using-trash-bin?MOUNT DORA, Fla. - A dramatic video shows a Florida man forcing an alligator into a garbage bin.
"Let me know when the head goes inside. Let me know! Somebody let me know when the head goes inside!" Eugene Bozzi is heard shouting.
"The weight of him was heavier than I thought he was," Bozzi said, "so I was thinking he kind of heavy, and then when I got him in there he was real strong, felt like a person was inside trying to hit the top trying to get out and I waited for him to calm down and it was done."
Trapper Isaac Rempe, with Affordable Wildlife Removal, says by doing this, Bozzi put himself and others in danger.
"Let me know when the head goes inside. Let me know! Somebody let me know when the head goes inside!" Eugene Bozzi is heard shouting.
"The weight of him was heavier than I thought he was," Bozzi said, "so I was thinking he kind of heavy, and then when I got him in there he was real strong, felt like a person was inside trying to hit the top trying to get out and I waited for him to calm down and it was done."
Trapper Isaac Rempe, with Affordable Wildlife Removal, says by doing this, Bozzi put himself and others in danger.
Video at link....why women live longer than men.
Profile Information
Member since: Tue Aug 17, 2004, 07:11 AMNumber of posts: 9,093